Is the Antichrist an idea, not a person?

Question

1 John 2:18
18Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (KJV)
1John 2:22
22Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. (KJV)
1John 4:3
3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (KJV)
2 John 1:7
7For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (KJV)

Answer 1

There will be many large and personal antichrists; but, finally, there may be an end- time antichrist who will gather up the total support of most religious groups. There is now a mighty ecumenical effort to "wrap our arms around everyone" and form a new organization for the final Jubilee -- this year or next year. Catholics believe that they will be the "mother church" and indeed Revelation 18 indicates that this may be true.

If antichrist has any brains at all his children will be wiser than the children of light. Therefore, antichrist will try to direct you to some huge, world-wide human being who dominates the earth and forces you to receive the mark of the beast in the forehead before you will be able to participate in his huge kingdom.

Being a contrarian, I tend to look where the antichrist fingers are not pointing. They usually point to the big pope but perhaps the antichrist is the little popes who elevate themselves in every "temple" of Christ by taking over Christ's headship or the group's rights. "If you don't receive my mark in your forehead you will not be a happy buyer or seller of my product."

John wrote:

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 1 John 2:18 (Last day is the end of a period)

Antichrist in Greek is:

Antichristos (g500) an-tee'-khris-tos; from 473 and 5547; an opponent of the Messiah: - antichrist.

It was prophesied that God would come in the flesh. As Messiah, the man Jesus (Joshua or Jehovah-Saved) would be Spirit-Anointed as proof of His Full Deity. An antichrist is primarily one who denies that the man Jesus Christ is the One God made manifest or visible to the human eye. I believe that those who try to cut God up like a pecan pie into "three people able to stand side by side or face to face to hold a committee meeting to decide who will do what" are antichrists -- denying that the visible Christ was the invisible God having the full authority of Father, Son and Spirit under one name.

Because jokesters often dominate (Paul addressed this in Ephesians 4-5), one joke making the rounds explains how Father and Spirit aced-out the Son and allowed Him to go do the suffering. This is an anti-christ joke.

Christ is the Spirit Anointed "Arm" of God Who was the prophesied Messiah. God is pure or holy Spirit. Therefore, anti-christ promotes a belief or worship which depends upon external rituals. Anti is:

Anti (g473) an-tee'; a prim. particle; opposite, i.e. instead or because of (rarely in addition to): - for, in the room of. Often used in composition to denote contrast, requital, substitution, correspondence, etc.

An anti person is a "because of" or "instead of" person. Furthermore, he is a "play" Christ or a "drama" Christ. He only wants to borrow Christ for a moment, dress Him up, make Him play and dance and then let Him "take off from the dance team as His landing platform" and return to Heaven. In the ancient cobwebs of my mind I can remember a little child who never wanted to do anything according to plan. His only excuse was a whiney, "be - cau' - zzz."

An instead of person always finds excuses for not accepting what Christ said and looks for another understanding. At its heart, this refuses to give Christ the glory for having sense enough to say what He means the way He wants to say it and in the order He wants it said. Two examples of because are:

And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because (anti-) he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. Acts 12:23

While many have a reputation that they are alive, worms are eating them alive and they have already given up the Spirit.

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because (anti) they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:10

At one level, to substitute our words for Christ's words makes us an anti-christ.

While the word "antichrist" is not used, the principle is involved in 2 Thessalonians. Before looking at John it may help to see that Paul agreed with him. Paul wrote:

That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 2 Thessalonians 2:2

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man (anthropos, just man) of sin (just sin) be revealed, the son of perdition; 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:4

While one man came and actually polluted the literal temple in Jerusalem, it had already been condemned and abandoned by Christ. Therefore, he could hardly be the true antichrist. Paul understood that the true temple of Full Deity is the church and its individual members. This "church" is never bigger than a local body of believers meeting together for prayer, mutual edification and the Lord's Supper. Therefore, the only antichrist which really mattered to the faithful Thessalonians was likely to be "one of yourselves" who, like the whiney child, says "you can't, because I can."

Paul knew where the breeding nest of antichrists could be found:

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. Acts 20:17

And He warned:

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost (qualified as teachers) hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28

Being an overseer has only one end-goal: that is to feed the church of God. Lenski notes that "If he is not qualified to teach he is not qualified in any sense." Those who use the authority of the "office" to teach when they are not qualified may be unwitting antichrists or permissive of antichrists.

Paul always warned that the feeders of the church must be apt to teach. This does not mean: "He is as apt to chase a coon as to understand the Word." The teacher-feeders are qualified by having the Mind of Christ, which Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2, is the Holy Spirit or Mind of God. If they presume to be pastors and don't know the word there is no way they can keep the wolves, who look like lambs but eat sheep, out:

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous (burden-loading) wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Acts 20:29

Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse (distorted) things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:30

The Holy Spirit left us a living example of an antichrist who, not being Spirit or Mind qualified, tries to shift the worship to himself. That was the best he could do. John wrote:

Because that for his names sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 3 John 1:7

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth. 3 John 1:8

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 3 John 1:9

Diotrephes, like the many false teachers in Paul's letters, saw godliness as a means of financial gain and to satisfy their lust to be exhalted. While pretending to be a Christian, Diotrephes was really a Zeus secret agent and an antichrist:

Diotrephes (g1361) dee-ot-ref-ace'; from the alt. of 2203 (Zeus) and 5142; Jove-nourished; Diotrephes, an opponent of Christianity: - Diotrephes

As a secret Zeus agent he met the qualifications of being an antichrist: he wanted to be in control and, like the Beast, hand out the little marks to those who obeyed his will. Preeminence is:

Philoproteuo (g5383) fil-op-rote-yoo'-o; from a comp. of 5384 and 4413; to be fond of being first, i.e. ambitious of distinction: - love to have the preeminence.

A diotrephes, and an antichrist, can be identified because he marks only his fellow mercinaries and refuses to even allow the inspired, vocational minister, Paul, to teach:

Epidechomai (g1926) ep-ee-dekh'-om-ahee; from 1909 and 1209; to admit (as a guest or [fig.] teacher): - receive

Not only does the antichrist grasp control even though, at heart, he is not even a Chrisitan, he determines who will participate as teacher and he makes sure that those whom he rejects must be rejected by anyone who wants to keep his little mark on their forehead.

As usual, he cannot tolerate the Word and Paul will set things right when he comes.

Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 3 John 1:10

Diotrephes is not just suffering from some mental breakdown: he is evil because he has not, cannot, see God. This is the mark of the antichrist in the modern "temple" of Christ.

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. 3 John 1:11

Jesus warned against the Diotrephes and antichrists. These people were the professional program planners because they kept the Word from being taken seriously:

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on mens shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. Matthew 23:4

On the other hand,

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 1 John 5:3

In its modern sense, antichrist is a Dominion Theologian. The sincere "ministers" sees themselves as teachers and servants of the local body and as its evangelists out preaching to the lost. However, new men are being taught that they are the "pastors" and therefore in charge of the local flock -- spitting in the face of those who feed, cloth and house their family. He, in fact, sits (rather than going into all the world) in the "temple" and all external signs are that he believes that he is the local Christ.

The "burden loader" was not doing these things for the sheep of the flock. Rather, he saw the flock as serving him and the only way he could ever make this happen would be to draw them away from Christ to follow him. This, of course, would make him an antichrist and a sheep eater.

These men have adopted the methods of Change Agentry which demands that they must move you out of your comfort zone to plan your life and worship for you. They are anti whatever you want to do. They are the because enemies of the quiet, body of Christ.

They always fail and fall but never without eating a lot of good lambs and being consumed by their own "heart" worms.

Answer 2

NONE MORE ANTICHRIST THAN SATAN AND HIS IN TIME OF THE END

2Cor.4:3,4; Blinding the minds.
11:14; Transforms himself into an angel of light.
Eze.28:13-15; Cherub angel anointed ove Eden.
John 8:44; Caused death of all offsprings of Adam.
1Pet.5:8; As a roaring lion seeks to devour.
Matt.4:1-11; Jesus resisted him, as he resist God.
Rev.12:3,4, 6-11,12; [ Daniel was year 3460 ], he allowed 2520 years to the
short time in the time of the end Dan.12:1-13; Time of the end 93 years.
Rev.9:1-5 [ 5 x 30 = 150 ] Pit open for Satan, God's sealed are there, turmoil and confusion as Babylon. Rev.9:12-16 [ 391. Euphrates Area ]; At 2007 C. E.
bible in world 396 years [ 380 to 396 Rev.16:12-16; Euphrates area ];

Eph.2:7; 3:21; The world with Jesus is without end. John 3:16; 17:3,17;
2Pet.3:13; 1Cor.15:22-28,51-53; Rev.20:1-6,12,13; 21:1-5; All is made as new as before Eden.

Answer 3

Since John said the anti-Christ was alive in his day, This person would be 2000 years old today.

The anti-Christ is a class or group of people who reject Jesus and his teachings.

Example: Jesus told us to worship his God and Father.
Many worship Jesus.

Jesus prayed to the only true God and told his disciples to pray to his Father.

Many pray not through Jesus but to Jesus.

Jesus said the soul can be destroyed
Jesus said those who don't believe 'perish'

Many believe the soul is immortal, Yet what does 1 Tim 6:16 the one alone having immortality,

If you reject Jesus' teachings you reject Jesus, thus you make yourself an anti-Christ.

.

Answer 4

The antichrist is a concept/belief. I consider myself an antichrist, because i do not believe in Christ and i dispute many Christian views, specifically the ones that portray women as the root of all sin. I think religion is a fantastic idea and i hink humans need some kind of belief system. But it needs to be one which promotes equality and happiness, not oppression and harsh rules.

Answer 5

I even heard one theory the Anti-Christ is the internet! That world wide web (www) in Roman numerals looks just like "666" - and that one day we will all need to internet (mark of the beast) to buy and sell, conduct all our financial transactions - as the scripture says.

I know one thing - it will all not be so neat and easy and obvious as the "Left Behind" writers have portrayed. One scripture they clearly forgot - many of God's elect will be deceived, so the Anti-Christ whoever or whatever it is - will be very cunning indeed.

Answer 6

The Antichrist is an album by Marilyn Manson you may purchase at Best Buy. ENJOY!

Answer 7

That you will have to decide for yourself. The term "Anti" in the dictionary is defined as in place of or against. Now if you see Jesus as a real person, then tne "in place of Jersus" must be a real person.

Answer 8

This word means against (or instead of) Christ.
So it describes all who are either against Christ, or,
representing themselves as his representatives, falsely.
John 2:18 makes it very clear that the Antichrist is not just one person.

Answer 9

God, Jesus, the Antichrist are all ideas.

Created, of course, by man.

Answer 10

I believe many parts of the Bible are metaphorically speaking.

In those days they talked in stories to use as examples so they could have something to relate back to.

Answer 11

It will be a man. He is also known as the son of perdition, the man of lawlessness, and the king of the North.

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